The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergueï Lavrov, is making a “high-level” visit to Mali today. This is the first visit of a Russian foreign minister to Mali. In recent months, military cooperation between Moscow and the Malian junta has intensified.
This two-day visit is part of the political will of the transitional government of Mali to diversify its strategic partnerships.
Concerning the program of this visit, the Russian head of diplomacy will meet with his Malian counterpart, Abdoulaye Diop, and then he will be received in the audience by the President of the Transition, Assimi Goïta. There will also be working sessions between the delegations on economic and military cooperation.
According to some media, during this visit, Lavrov will reiterate Russia’s invitation to Mali to participate in the next Russia-Africa Summit to be held in July 2023.